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PNDEZ CjlVADjl 



A NATIVE OF CUBA, 



SHOWING PARTIALLY WHAT ONE OP HIS FRIENDS KNEW OF HIM AS A 

SOLDIER, A GENTLEMAN, A POET, A DIPLOMAT, AN AUTHOR, 

A PATRIOT AND A VICTIM. 



POINTED F0r[ PRIVATE CIRCULATION^ 



PHILADELPHIA: 

JAMES B. CHANDLER, PRINTER, 306 & 308 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 



I 87 I . 



H ^n 4- 
- 05- 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871, by 0. W. Cavis, iu the Office of 
Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



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INTRODUCTION. 



For the following sketch I have no apology to make, 
though fully aware of its imperfections. Am conscious, 
too, that what has been written renders me amenable 
to the charge of egotism. As this could not be avoided 
" I accept the situation " — from necessity. 

If any one supposes the following pages to be a sketch 
of the life of Frederic F. Cavada, he will find out his 
error before he reads very far. It is only a statement 
of what I knew about him, and I have prepared it 
solely for the information of those gentlemen who, 
under the belief he was alive, aided me in trying to 
save his life, that they may understand why I was so 
persistent in the demands made upon them the fourth 
and fifth of July. 

The life of Cavada has yet to be written, and if his 
record ever falls into the hands of a biographer whose 
pen is equal to that of William Wirt, when he wrote 
the life of Patrick Henry, it will be charming as a 
romance of real life, and instructive as a lesson. The 
incidents of his life of which I have any knowledge, 



cover only the short period of ten years — from July, 
1861, when he was commissioned as a Captain in the 
Union Army, to July, 1871, when he was executed at 
Puerto Principe. Whoever will take the trouble to 
read the following pages must admit that he was a 
remarkable man. 

The sketch has at least one merit — "truth." Though 
it has been prepared within three days, I have authority 
for all that is said : — the originals of letters and tele- 
grams, and the testimony of living men to corroborate, 
if necessary, what has been written. I have not written 
a word w T ith the expectation of aiding the cause of Cuba 
or bringing Spain into contempt. I have no interest in 
Cuba beyond that which any man must feel for a weak 
people striving to rid themselves of what they consider 
a tyranny, nor have I any cause of quarrel with Spain. 
Her representatives in Cuba have, it is true, killed a 
brave man, in violation of what I believe to be the laws 
of civilization, but this was not done by Spain. When 
her War Minister was appealed to, he directed that the 
charges agai)ist Cavada should be forwarded to Madrid 
for investigation. 

It is not my intention to censure or criticise even by 
implication, the policy our government has adopted 
towards the Cuban Revolutionists. I did not approach 
General Grant or Mr. Fish as office holders, but as indi- 
viduals whose intercession I sought in behalf a brave 



man, to whom fate had been unpropitious. Their 
hearts prompted them to do what they did, and on 
reflection I hope their judgment will not censure their 
action. 

This pamphlet therefore has no literary pretensions 
or political meaning, — it is purely personal. If anybody 
is hurt by what has been written, it is his own fault. 
He should not have crossed Cavada's path. If he has 
done so, he has learned the lesson that the jackass did 
when he kicked a sleeping lion believing he was dead. 
The fable says that the lion awoke, and when the jack- 
ass went home, he left his ears behind him. The appli- 
cation is appropriate even if the fable be false. 

The criticism may be made — " why should so much 
pains be taken to print a pamphlet about Cavada, and 
to tell what efforts were made to save his life, when 
those efforts were fruitless ?" They resulted in nothing- 
it is true, but they were made under the belief that he 
was alive on the fourth and fifth of July. They were 
promoted by such men as Gen. Graham, Gen. Sheridan, 
Gen. Meade, Gen. Horace Porter, Gen. Van Vliet, Moses 
Taylor, Samuel Sloan, John Hoey, Edward S. Sanford, 
John W. Forney and Gen. Sickles. As these gentlemen 
had committed themselves to Cavada's interest by one 
good action promptly done, is it not probable that they 
would have followed it up until they saw Cavada re- 
stored to his friends and family ? j 



6 

This sketch has been prepared for their information, 
and has been printed (not published) that they may 
know something of the man for whose life they were 
induced to intercede. 

0. WILSON DAVIS. 

New York, July 25th, 1871. 



EARLY LIFE. 



Frederic Fernandez Cavada was born in 1832, 
at Cienfuegos, Cuba. His father was a native of Cuba 
and died when Fred, was a mere boy. His widowed 
mother soon afterwards returned with her young family 
to Philadelphia, her native city. Fred, was first placed 
at school in Wilmington, Delaware, and after remaining 
there a few years, completed at Philadelphia all the 
education he ever received. 

His health was always delicate, and when an oppor- 
tunity offered, his mother yielded to his wish to accom- 
pany the surveying expedition to the Isthmus under 
Col. Trautwine, to survey the route for the Panama 
Railroad. At that time the " Chagres fever" was 
unknown, and his friends hoped that a life out of 
doors would build up his constitution ; they also thought 
it would be a good opportunity for him to become a 
civil engineer if he developed any taste or talent for the 
profession. 

He remained with the expedition until the survey 
was completed, and returned home with Col. Trautwine. 
The malarious swamps of the Isthmus had not improved 
his health, but on the contrary had planted in his system 
the seeds of disease which followed him through life. 



8 

His first care was the restoration of his health, and 
for several years he spent a life of comparative ease, 
reading, writing, sketching, and thinking as inclination 
prompted him. When the rebellion broke out, in April, 
1861, he was anxious to enlist for the u three months 
service," but his health was so delicate that his physician 
and friends dissuaded him from his intention. After 
the developments of April, May and June, 1861, had 
proved that there was to be a protracted struggle, Cavada 
resolved to take part in spite of his health. 

ENLISTMENT. 



During the " three months service," David B. Birney, 
of Philadelphia, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twenty- 
third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which 
Charles B. Dare was the Colonel. The writer was 
Birney's partner, and on July 15th, 1861, Birney wrote 
him from camp, near Williamsport, Maryland. 

" I have determined to return to the service for three 
" years. General Cameron (then Secretary of War,) has 
" authorized me to raise a large regiment of fifteen com- 
" panies, to be divided into three battalions, as in the 
" French service. Colonel Dare is so far gone with the 
"consumption that he will be unable to return. I will 
" be the Colonel of the new regiment. 



9 

" As you are aware, the term of our enlistment will 
" expire in a few days, and I had hoped to be able to 
" return home then, but General Patterson wishes us to 
" remain longer, and the men have consented to do so. 
" We may be here a month, but I do not wish in the 
" meantime to delay the organization of the new regi- 
" ment. You had some experience in raising the pre- 
" sent regiment, and why can you not take hold and 
" start a new regiment to serve for three years, before 
" the ardor of the boys has time to abate ? 

" Do this, and I will send you the requisite authority. 
" If you go to work in earnest, you should have the 
"regiment almost ready by the time we return. A 
" majority of the men in the present regiment will, I 
" think, re-enlist for three years. If they do, many of 
" them will return with me. After these are added to 
" the men you raise, the new regiment should be ready 
" to take the field in a few days after my return. This 
" will prevent us from loafing about Philadelphia." 

On this suggestion I acted, and on the seventeenth day 
of July, 1861, rented the Girard House for a recruiting 
office. It was the second largest hotel in Philadelphia, 
and happened at the time to be vacant. Owing to the 
liberality of George G. Presbury, Esq., the lessee, the 
rent was nominal. 

The location and size of the recruiting office attracted 
some attention, and in a few days there were numerous 



10 

applicants from among the young men of Philadelphia, 
for positions as line officers in the new regiment. As 
the writer was entirely ignorant of military matters, 
and as the applicants were equally ignorant, the posi- 
tion of both parties was somewhat embarrassing. The 
only criterion which, under the circumstances, it was 
possible to adopt, was previous knowledge of the appli- 
cant, and in the absence of this, then a decision could 
only be made from impressions produced by personal 
appearance and a few moments conversation. 

On the twentieth day of July, 1861, a delicate look- 
ing young man entered the business office of the writer, 
and asked for a position in the Twenty-third Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers. 

" What position ?" was the question. 

Answer — "First or Second Lieutenant." 

" Do you live in Philadelphia ?" 

« Yes." 

" Born here ?" 

"No." 

" Where ?" 

" In Cuba, but educated here." 

" What knowledge have you of military matters ?" 

" None whatever, but I think I could soon qualify 
myself for a subordinate position. I will, of course, de- 
fray my portion of the expense of raising my company, 
if I can get a position." 



LI 

"Can you go to work at once?'''' 

" Yes, and I have already about a dozen men who 
have promised to go in my company." 

" What's your name V 

" Frederic Cavada." 

" What is your business ?" 

" Nothing. I was engaged on the survey of the 
Panama Railroad, but since I returned home, have been 
unable to do any work on account of my health." 

" Do you think you could endure the exposure of a 
soldier's life ?" 

" I do not know, but have made up my mind to try it." 

The quiet but resolute manner of my new acquaint- 
ance, his ready and pertinent answers, and his general 
appearance, so impressed me that I felt I had drawn a 
prize. After a few moments reflection, I said : 

" You can go as captain if you wish to ?" 

Cavada replied : " I should like to do so very much, 
but did not expect it. As you do not know me, per- 
haps you would like to have letters from my friends to 
tell you who I am." 

" Never mind who you are. I think you will do. 
Do not trouble yourself about the letters, but go to 
work. Take a room in the Girard House and raise your 
company as soon as possible." 

He did so, and in three days his company was full 
and read}' to be mustered into the service. 



12 



SERVICE AS CAPTAIN, 



The " three months " Twenty-third Pennsylvania 
Volunteers returned to Philadelphia on August 17th, 
1861. Abut six hundred men of the new regiment 
met their future comrades at the Baltimore depot, and 
escorted them to the headquarters of the new regiment. 
The next day, Lieutenant Colonel Birney put all the 
men in camp at the corner of Nicetown Lane and Lamb 
Tavern Road, about four miles from the city, and began 
to organize the new regiment. 

On Sunday, August 20th, the Secretary of War issued 
an order requiring all companies, that had been mustered 
in, to come to Washington. Birney went down early 
on Monday, August 21st, with all the men who were 
in camp, and completed the organization of the regiment 
at the Capitol. 

When the regiment went to the Peninsula under 
McClellan, Cavada was detailed for duty as engineer. 
His talent for sketching and his knowledge of topo- 
graphy made him more useful, to the Generals under 
whom he served, as an engineer than as a line officer. 
Part of his duties on the Peninsula were performed in 
balloons, which, it will be remembered, were then used 



13 

as the eyes of the Army of the Potomac. After the 
Peninsula campaign, he served with his regiment during 
the campaign under General Pope during August, 1862, 
and subsequently was in the battle of Antietam under 
General McClellan, September 17th, 1862. 



14 



SERVTCES 



AS 



LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. 



During the fall of 1862, the "One Hundred and 
Fourteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers " was 
organized and Cavada was commissioned as Lieutenant- 
Colonel. He served as such at Fredericksburg in Decem- 
ber, 1862, under Burnside, and at Chancellorsville in 
May, 1863, under Hooker. 

At the battle of Gettysburg, July, 1863, Cavada had 
command of the regiment, the Colonel being absent. 

The regiment was in the Brigade of General Charles 
K. Graham, and in the Division of General Birney, all 
which were in the Third Corps, commanded by General 
Sickles. General Meade was in command of the army. 
To all these Generals, Cavada was well known. How 
they appreciated him will appear subsequently. 



15 



A PRISONER 



At the battle of Gettysburg, Cavada and his Brigade 
Commander, General Charles K. Graham, were captured 
and taken to Libby Prison, at Richmond, Virginia. 
Cavada remained a prisoner of war until January, 
1864, when he was released on parole. Even in Libby 
Prison he could not be idle. He cheated the long hours 
of their weariness by writing sketches of prison life, 
and illustrating them with designs from his pencil. As 
there was no stationer's store attached to the prison, he 
was compelled to write these sketches and draw the 
designs upon the margins of newspapers and such other 
scraps of paper as fell in his way. 

When he was released, these multifold manuscripts, 
written on both sides of the sheet, escaped confiscation, 
because they were concealed between the shoes and 
stockings of the author and such of his comrades, who 
had taken an interest in his authorship, as were willing 
to incur the risk of further detention by concealing such 
documents upon their persons. According to the rules 
of the prison they were contraband of war. 



16 

These sketches and illustrations were, in 1864, pub- 
lished by King & Baird, of Philadelphia, in a book en- 
titled " Libby Life." It is not, perhaps, quite equal 
as a literary production to " Picciola or the Prison 
Flower," by X. B. Saintine ; but then it must be remem- 
bered that Saintine was a scholar while Cavada was 
only a soldier ; besides this, " Chillon," where Saintine 
was imprisoned, was clean and comparatively so healthy 
a spot, that a "prison flower" could exist there, while 
the atmosphere of " Libby," where Cavada spent his 
term, was destructive not only of vegetable, but nearly 
all animal life. Only a small portion of the prisoners 
who were caged there ever survived, and they had for 
companions of their imprisonment numerous members 
of animated creation too repulsive to describe, and not 
possessing the attraction which the prisoner of " Chillon" 
found in the little flower. 



17 



A DUELLIST 



On bis return to Philadelphia, emaciated by con- 
finement, Cavada learned that in his absence, his Colonel 
had charged him with cowardice at the battle of Get- 
tysburg, though, as already stated, the Colonel was not 
present during any portion of the engagement. Among 
other allegations, it was said that Cavada had permitted 
himself to be captured. 

These reports naturally produced a revivifying effect 
upon the invalid soldier, who attempted to get an ex- 
planation from his Colonel. Failing in this, he fool- 
ishly challenged him. By some means these facts 
became known to General George Cadwalader, who was 
at the time in command at Philadelphia. As duelling 
was in violation not only of the Laws of Pennsylvania, 
but of the rules of the service, the General determined 
to put a stop to any further proceedings of the sort. 
The first step he took was to direct his Adjutant- 
General to forward a notice to Lieutenant-Colonel Cavada 
that he must consider himself under close arrest within 



18 

the precincts of the Continental Hotel, so long as he 
remained in Philadelphia. 

This order Cavada showed to the writer a few hours 
after its receipt, who took him to General Cadwalader's 
headquarters and introduced him. After an inspection 
of his personal appearance, the General relieved him 
from "close arrest," because he did not think Cavada 
a very dangerous man in the condition his health was 
at the time, and because he thought that it would be 
better for the service for Cavada to spend his leisure time 
in trying to repair his health, so that he might be able 
to go to duty in the field whenever he was exchanged. 



19 



A STAFF OFFICER 



During the month of March, Cavada was duly 
exchanged, but his delicate health and the depressing 
effect produced upon his spirits by the reports of his 
cowardice, had decided him to resign his commission. 
He made known his intention to his friends, who dis- 
suaded him from his purpose, by offering to secure him 
a position on the Staff of General Birney, then in com- 
mand of a division in General Hancock's Corps. This 
position was secured and Cavada served on General 
Birney's Staff during General Grant's campaign from 
Fredericksburg to Petersburg. 

General Birney died in October, 1864. After his 
death Cavada resigned, having determined to go to 
Cuba, and perhaps South America, to try to recover 
his health. 



20 



UNITED STATES CONSUL. 



After his resignation had been accepted, Cavada made 
arrangements to leave the country. One afternoon as 
the writer was hurrying home from his office, to prepare 
to go to Washington at 4 o'clock, on business, he met 
Cavada, who said: — 

" While I am away I do not wish to be idle, and I 
think I could serve the government during my absence 
in some way, perhaps in a semi-diplomatic capacity. 

" Many complicated questions have arisen in South 
America. In some of these the government may be in- 
volved. I think I understand these questions, and may 
be of service to the State Department if I go to South 
America. If on my return to Cuba, I find the state of 
things existing which I am told exists there, I will 
remain in Cuba. In this event I know I can serve the 
government. 

"I want no office, but would like before I start to 
have an interview with Mr. Seward." 



21 

The reply was : — 

" Cavada, I know nothing about South American ques- 
tions or Cuban affairs, but if you want to see the Secre- 
tary of State, I think I can procure an interview for 
you. I do not know Mr. Seward personally, but I know 
many gentlemen who are acquainted with him. I am 
going to Washington at 4 o'clock this afternoon, and the 
best thing you can do is to go with me." 

Cavada answered — " I will meet you at the depot." 

He did so, and we went to Washington. The next 
morning we went to the State Department, and fortu- 
nately met in the corridor, Edward S. Sanford, Esq., of 
New York. I introduced Cavada to him and telling him 
what we wanted, he immediately procured us an inter- 
view with Mr. Seward which lasted about an hour. 

When we took leave, Mr. Seward said — " Colonel, I 
am very glad to have seen you. I will think of your 
suggestions and if I can make use of your services, you 
will hear from me." 

In a few days, Cavada received from the State depart- 
ment the appointment of Consul for the United States 
at Trinidad de Cuba. 

Shortly after his arrival he wrote the following letter, 
which it must be remembered was written only for a 
friendly eye, without any expectation that it would be 
seen in print : 



99 

-J -J 



Cienfuegos, Cuba, 
January 17 th, 1865. 

0. Wilson Davis, Esq., 

Philadelphia. 

Dear Sir: 

I send enclosed the lines, founded upon the incident at 
General Birney's grave, which you expressed a desire to 
see. I think their only merit consists in the endeavor 
to perpetuate an incident which proves how much honor 
is due to the memory of our lamented friend. 

The sketch of the battle on the North Anna is very 
crude, but an intelligent artist might so arrange it as to 
present a fair picture of the action without departing 
much from local correctness in the details. I had in- 
tended drawing it out for you, together with some others, 
before leaving Philadelphia, but I was so much indis- 
posed for several days previous to my departure, that I 
felt utterly unfit to undertake it. 

I am happy to be able to say that since my arrival 
here, my health has improved wonderfully. I hope by 
the coming spring to return to the States with fully re- 
newed strength and in better spirits. 



23 

The public mind here is deeply engrossed with the 
political events which are following each other so rapidly 
in the American Republic. Although not altogether 
unprepared for the lively interest taken in the war, I 
was nevertheless, not a little surprised to find this ele- 
ment of social excitement so extensively developed. 
Every one appears fully awake to the importance of the 
issues at stake. The abolition element is, strange to 
say, not limited to those who are not slave-holders, even 
some of the large slave owners being numbered among 
the proselytes of the new faith. The ultimate extinc- 
tion of the institution of slavery over the whole Western 
Hemisphere, seems to be accepted as an inevitable sequel 
to its extinction in the United States. The colored 
population of this Island are not in the dark as to these 
great issues. Slavery, once abolished in the American 
Union as the resolution of the great problem which is 
now being evolved there, it will be scarcely possible that 
Cuban slavery, so near a neighbor to American liberty, 
could be maintained intact. The opinion seems daily 
.to be losing ground, that the white race cannot labor in 
the fields of Cuba. The strongest argument upon which 
this theory was based, seems to have been the fact that 
the white race never had labored in the fields. The 
admission of the physical superiority of the negro in this 
respect is neither a safe one to the institution of slavery, 
nor to the permanent domination of the white race in 



24 

intertropical climates. Would not a different system of 
physical education render the white laborer as imper- 
vious to the malignant effects of the sun as the African ? 
This question begins to attract considerable attention 
here since the outbreak of the rebellion. " Let us be 
regenerated," say some, "or we are lost." 

I doubt if the various movements of the armies, and 
their probable results, are discussed and speculated upon 
even in the States with more warmth and interest than 
they are here. There are many enthusiastic " Federals," 
who are constantly engaged in violent controversies 
with the rankest sort of " Confederates." After the late 
glorious victories of Thomas, and the splendid military 
promenade of Sherman, the " Secesh " kept themselves 
considerably in the back ground, and although the with- 
drawal of the Butler-Porter expedition from the waters 
of the Cape Fear, encouraged them to come feebly forth 
again to the charge, we trust that before long we may 
compel them to bury their arguments and expectations 
beyond the hope of resurrection. 

It may appear surprising to you that there should 
exist here such warm sympathies with the Union cause. 
If Cuba belongs geographically to America, why should 
she belong politically to Europe ? This question natur- 
ally suggests to the Cuban the fact that one day their 
Island must attach itself to the destinies of the Ameri- 
can family. Commanding as it does the waters of the 



25 

Gulf of Mexico, which furnishes the seaboard of the 
Gulf States, possessing splendid harbors and rich lands, 
and counting its negro slaves by hundreds of thousands, 
it would no doubt be destined to fall a prey to Southern 
policy and Southern cupidity should the Confederacy 
establish its independence. But it is not overlooked 
here that the doctrine of State Rights in accordance 
with which such a Confederacy must be framed, would 
involve the constant peril of disunion and of anarchy, 
and in such an event what could be the ultimate fate of 
Cuba but that of St. Domingo and Jamaica ? It would 
be too dangerous to try such a political experiment here, 
a country where the negro population outnumbers the 
white. 

But this letter has already trespassed enough upon 
your time. I am apt to forget that Cuban politics and 
Cuban interests are not so interesting to others as they 
are to myself. 

I remain, 

Very truly your ob't servant, 

F. F. CAVADA. 



"The sketch of the battle on the North Anna" refer- 
red to in the foregoing letter, was a drawing prepared by 
Cavada at the request of the writer, who was then en- 
gaged upon the " Life of General Birney." The book 



26 

was subsequently published, but without any sketches 
of battles in which Birney had been engaged, as had 
been originally designed, so that the drawing sent by 
Cavada was never used. 



A POET 



The incident upon which Cavada based the verses 
referred to in the foregoing letter, occurred at the grave 
of General Birney, who was buried in " Woodlands 
Cemetery," Philadelphia, not far from the " Satterlee 
Hospital." The hospital was then filled with conva- 
lescent soldiers, principally from the army of the Potomac. 
After the troops which formed the funeral escort, the 
citizens, and the family had returned home, the writer 
remained at the grave to see that the workmen of the 
cemetery performed their duty properly. When the 
work was nearly completed, he saw through the dim 
twilight a soldier on crutches, who was intently watching 
the grave diggers. He said to him, " my man, what 
are you doing here ?" 

He replied, " I served, sir, under General Birney, and 
lost my leg in front of Petersburg. The stump has not 
yet healed, so that I could not attend the funeral, but 
I got leave of absence from the hospital to come over 
here." 



27 

After some further conversation the soldier hobbled 
away and the writer subsequently related the incident 
to Cavada. Alter he had gone to Cuba, I heard of 
the verses and had asked for a copy, which was en- 
closed with " the sketch of the battle on the North Anna." 

They were the following : 



BIRNEY'S GRAVE. 



The solemn sounds were hushed ; 

The martial music and the tolling bell, 

The plaintive beating of the muffled drums, 

And the echoed volleys of the funeral guns ; 

And from the new made grave, where slept 

The hero of many battles, all were gone — 

All save one, for as the twilight came 

Shrouding the silent graveyard in the pall 

Of falling night, there lingered still 

An humble soldier leaning on his crutch. 

Oh, who shall say what stirring thoughts they were 

That stayed him at his chieftain's grave ! 

The thrilling memories of the battle field, 

The rattling musketry, and the cannon's sound, 

The deadly struggle and the desperate charge, 

And the proud form of him who slept 

The everlasting slumber in the new made grave, 

Dashing through the blinding battle smoke, 

The manly voice that urged him in the fight, 

The flashing eye and waving sword, 

And the noble face that when the day 

Was won; these all in the dim twilight 

Were bending over him. 



28 



This humble, war bruised veteran was the last, 

The noblest mourner at the grave that day ; 

And the silent prayer he offered 

Went up to plead at Heaven's golden gate 

For him who was the soldier's friend. 

A long way he had come — a long way — 

Limping on his crutches through the idle crowd 

Which thronged to gaze upon the funeral pageant— 

A long way, to breathe his sincere prayer 

O'er the noble dead, and shed upon the grave 

This touching tribute of a soldier's heart. 



29 



' TROUBLE IN HIGH QUARTERS. 



During 1865, the writer removed to New York. One 
evening he met E. S. Sanford, Esq., at the Fifth Avenue 
Hotel. Mr. Sanford was evidently laboring under some 
excitement, and reproached me for having asked him to 
introduce Cavada to Mr. Seward. 

I replied : " Sanford, don't get excited ; tell me what 
is the matter." 

He said : " I introduced your friend, Cavada, to Mr. 
Seward at your request. It now turns out that he is a 
coward, and proofs to that effect have been forwarded 
to the State Department. You must fix this thing." 

I answered : " I will fix it. Cavada is no coward. He 
is not only a brave man, but a gentleman. His error 
consists, perhaps, in thinking too much of big things, 
disregarding small ones. I will see that Cavada and 
you both stand right with the State Department." 

The promise thus made was duly performed, as the 
following will show : 



30 



Consulate of the United States of America, 

Trinidad de Cuba, April 17th, 1866. 

0. Wilson Davis, Esq., 

New York. 

Dear Sir : 

Once more I am called upon to express my thanks to 
you for important favors, for I am assured that the com- 
munications you sent to Washington were strongly con- 
ducive to the favorable termination of my difficulties at 
the Department of State. They must have been deemed 
weighty evidence indeed to counteract the misrepresen- 
tations of my enemies. 

I trust that some day it may be my good fortune to 
give a more thorough expression to the gratitude for 
kind offices which places me so deeply in your debt. 
I am, sir, 
Your very grateful and sincere friend, 

FREDERIC F. CAVADA, 

U. 8. Consul. 



He held the position of Consul of the United States 
at Trinidad de Cuba from the fall of 1864 until Feb- 



ol 

ruary, 1869, when he resigned to take part in the Cuban 
revolution. This is some evidence that Mr. Seward, 
who was Secretary of State during this entire period, 
paid but little attention to the charges that had been 
lodged in the State Department, though it is evident 
he examined them. 



A GENERAL IN THE CUBAN ARMY. 



After Cavada resigned the consulate, he was commis- 
sioned as General of the Cuban army for the District of 
Trinidad, and was subsequently appointed Commander- 
in-Chief of the Cinco-villas, which included Trinidad, 
Cienfuegos, Sagua, Villa Clara, Kemedios and S'to. 
Espiritu. When General Jordan returned to the United 
States, Cavada was appointed Commander-in-Chief of all 
the Cuban forces, with the title of Chief of the General 
Staff. His new duties took him from the Cinco-villas 
Department to Camaguey, where he established his 
headquarters. His brother, Adolpho, who had been in 
command of the Cienfuegos District, was appointed to 
succeed him in the command of the Cinco-villas. 



32 

The campaigns of Cavada cover the operations of the 
past two and a half years in the Cinco-villas Depart- 
ment. It consisted of hard fighting without intermis- 
sion. The men, though scantily and badly armed and 
clothed kept the Spaniards at bay, defending their posi- 
tions in the mountains with wooden cannon, &c, captur- 
ing several Spanish garrisons and fortified places, con- 
tinually harassing the enemy and doing all that the 
most indomitable energy and heroism could do unsup- 
ported and unaided. 

At the commencement of the insurrection, he was 
badly wounded by the accidental discharge of a gun that 
fell from the hands of one of the sentinels, and for three 
months endured the most excruciating torment and suf- 
fering. During this time, he was concealed in a cave 
in the mountains with a few of his trusty friends to 
guard him. 

This is not the place, however, to discuss his cam- 
paigns in Cuba. They will doubtless be written here- 
after by one more competent to do them justice. Any 
attempt to sketch them with the information that has 
been received would be a failure. 



33 

CAPTURED. 

■ <»» • 

On July 4 th, 1871, about eleven o'clock, A. M., the 
writer was walking up Broadway to keep an appoint- 
ment, and stopped at a cigar store kept by Victor Giraudy, 
at 8 1 5 Broadway, to buy a cigar. Giraudy is a Cuban, 
and knew that I had been acquainted with Cavada. He 
showed «me the following dispatch in the New York 
Herald of that date : 

" THE WAR IN CUBA." 



CAPTURE OF GENERAL CAVADA AND ADMIRAL 
OSORIO BY THE SPANIARDS. 



Havana, July 3rd. 

"The Spanish Gunboat Neptuno captured the insurgent 
General Fredrico Cavada, while he was tryi7ig to leave the 
Island. He was taken to Puerto Principe for trial. His 
execution is certain." 

"The Neptuno also captured the Cuban Admiral Osorio, 
who was made famous by capturing the Spanish Coaster 
Commanditore. Osorio was taken to Neuvitas for trial. 

Three more insurgent leaders on Cayo-Cruz, where 
Cavada was captured, were surrounded by Spanish sea- 
men and troops and hilled." 

*S» 5J* »J» »i» !j» 5j* 

****** 



34 

Though I had read a morning paper, the foregoing 
dispatch had escaped my attention. After I read it, 
Giraudy and the friend who had entered the cigar store 
with me, expressed the opinion that Cavada had already 
been shot, because they both knew that he and other 
Cuban leaders had nearly a year before been tried in 
their absence by Spanish Court Martial at Havana, and 
had been sentenced to be shot or garroted whenever 
captured. At first I was inclined to agree with them 
in this opinion, but after reading the dispatch carefully, 
I came to a different conclusion. The dispatch stated 
that other insurgent leaders captured at the same time 
"were surrounded by Spanish seamen and troops and 
hilled." Besides this, it was stated that Cavada " was 
taken to Puerto Principe for trial" 

Why should this be, except from the fact that Cavada 
had been " Commander in Chief?" If for this reason, he 
was not shot when captured, as others were, but was sent 
to Puerto Principe for trial, would not a journey to the 
place of trial and the trial itself occupy several days? 
These questions I answered satisfactorily to myself in 
the affirmative, and determined at once to make an 
effort to save his life. I believed that there was at least 
a chance of his being alive on July the fourth, and de- 
termined to make the most of this chance without delay. 

Knowing that personally I could do very little, I 
naturally thought of such men among my acquaintances 



35 

as could and would aid me. As it was the Fourth of 
July, a national holiday, I knew that such of them as 
lived in New York and adjacent cities, would not be 
accessible at their places of business either personally or 
by telegram, but I resolved to make the most that I 
could of the means at hand. 



EFFORTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE. 



My first thought was to communicate with Cavada's 
family in Philadelphia, to let them know I was ready 
to co-operate with any movement they might make, 
and I telegraphed them. They were, however, absent 
from the city, and the special messenger from the 
telegraph office, in Philadelphia, was unable to ascertain 
their address. 

My next thought was of General Sickles, our Minister 

at Madrid, with whom I had the good fortune to be 

acquainted, and who had known Cavada personally. 

About one, P. M., (but about six, P. M., in Spain,) I 

sent the following dispatch : 
3 



36 

New York, July ith, 1871. 

To General Daniel E. Sickles, 

United States Minister, 

Madrid, Spain. 

Frederic Cavada, Lieutenant-Colonel under you at 
Gettysburg, now General of Cuban army, has been 
captured by the Spaniards. Can he be saved ? 

0. WILSON DAVIS, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel. 



My next thought was to see some of the Cuban Junta, 
but I knew none of them personally. Returning to 
Giraudy's cigar store, I asked him where any of the 
members of the Junta could be found. He sent his 
brother with me to Hilario Cisneros, Esq., No. 406 
West Twenty-third Street, one of the vice presidents of 
the Junta, whom I saw. As he spoke English imper- 
fectly, and as I could not speak a word of Spanish, Mr. 
Giraudy acted as interpreter. Mr. Cisneros manifested 
great interest in the matter, expressed his belief that 
Cavada was still alive, and offered on behalf of the Junta 
to defray any expenses that might be incurred by the 
movement, which he sincerely hoped might be successful. 
He did not, however, make any practical suggestions, 
and after conversing with him, through the interpreter, 
a few minutes, I took leave. 



37 

Soon after leaving Mr. Cisneros, 1 met a friend who 
has a large acquaintance with foreigners residing in New 
York. After he had heard my story, he suggested that 
I should see General Charles K. Graham, who, he said, 
had just gone to the Army and Navy Club. 

On the mention of his name, I remembered that Gen- 
eral Graham was the very man I wanted. He has not 
only a big heart but a good head, and beside this, he had 
been Cavada's Brigade Commander and his fellow prisoner 
at " Libby." I went in search of him and found him 
just leaving the Club house on his way to dinner, and 
telling him my errand, he said — " I saw the dispatch in 
the morning papers, and have spoken to General 
Franklin, to Major Bundy of the New York Mail, and 
to others, we are to have a special meeting of the Third 
Corps Union to-morrow morning, and will take some 
action on behalf of Cavada." 

I replied, — " General, a town meeting of any kind 
will not do in this case — to-morrow may be too late." 

He said — " I know it, but what else can I do ?" 

I replied, — "We must, if possible, get General Grant 
to act without delay. He is a soldier, and if we can lay 
the case before him properly, I am sure he will do some- 
thing and that speedily, without regard to the rules of 
diplomacy or international law. Though I never spoke 
to him, I know that he did not shoot or permit any one 
to shoot General Lee or any other rebel officer when they 



were caught. He will not permit the Spanish authorities 
in Cuba to shoot Cavada, if it can be prevented. He and 
Sickles are the only two men in the world who can 
save Cavada. Sickles has already been appealed to, and 
we must reach General Grant — Come with me to the 
telegraph office at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and we will 
determine on our way there what is to be done." 

As we rode to the hotel, Graham said — " General 
Sheridan is in town, I saw him this morning, and think 
he his stopping at the Fifth Avenue — let us see him, I 
know him and think he will help us." 

We saw General Sheridan at the hotel. After the 
case was stated to him, he said without hesitation — " I 
will do all I can to aid you. I do not wish however, to 
embarrass the President, but if you see him, tell him that 
I hope he will do all in his power, officially, to save 
Cavada's life. I believe that he will do it, but I do not 
want to ask him to do anything, as I do not know 
whether any complications could arise from such action. 
Just state the facts to the President and let him act in 
his own way. I know him and suggest this as your 
best course." 

From subsequent developments I have reason to 
believe that General Sheridan telegraphed to General 
Grant in Cavada's behalf. 

We next went to the telegraph office in the hotel and 
sent the following dispatches : — The operators, Messrs. 



39 

J. W. Burnham and C. H. Brown manifested great 
interest in what we were doing, and did all in their 
power to get the telegrams "through" without delay. 

General Graham had been in correspondence with 
General Sickles, and knew that he was absent from 
Madrid. Only the day previous he had received a com- 
munication from him. The first dispatch was to London. 

New York, July Uh, 1871. 
To B. F. Stevens, 

U. S. Dispatch Agent, 

London. 
Where is General Sickles ? Very important. Answer. 

CHARLES K. GRAHAM, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel. 



It was ten P. M., in London, and we did not antici- 
pate a reply until the next day. 



New York, July 4th, 1871. 

To Gen. Horace Porter, 

Long Branch, N. J. 

General Cavada, formerly Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
lately Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban army, has been 
captured by the Spanish authorities. He served under 
my command during the Rebellion and was a good 



40 

soldier. His brother was likewise on General Hum- 
phrey's staff. Can anything be done to save his life? 
CHARLES K. GRAHAM, 

President Third Corps Union, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel. 



New York, July 4th, 1871. 
To Col. John W. Forney, 

" Press" 
Philadelphia. 
General Cavada, late Lieutenant-Colonel of the One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers has 
been captured. Telegraph the President and Secretary 
of State to save his life if possible. Get some leading 
citizens to unite with you. Lose no time and spare no 

expense. 

CHARLES K. GRAHAM, 

0. WILSON DAVIS. 

Operator will forward to Col. Forney if he can ascer- 
tain where he is. 



New York, July 4th, 1871. 
To Gen. G. G. Meade, 

Cape May, N. J. 
General Cavada, late Lieutenant Colonel of the One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers has 
been captured. Will you telegraph the President to 
have his life spared if possible ? 

CHARLES K. GRAHAM, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel. 



41 

By the time the foregoing dispatches had been sent, 
it was 6.30 P. M. and we separated, with the under- 
standing that I would call at General Graham's house 
before bed time should any answers to the dispatches be 
received. We also agreed that if the developments of 
the evening seemed to demand it, we would go to Long 
Branch during the night, so as to see General Grant 
early in the morning. 

About 7 P. M., I went again to the Fifth Avenue 
Hotel. On the way, met Mr. Moses Taylor and told 
him what had transpired. He said he thought every- 
thing had been done that it was possible to do. He ex- 
pressed the most cordial wishes for the success of the 
measures which had been adopted, and said he would 
do anything in his power to aid in saving Cavada. If 
I would only tell him what to do, he was ready to act, 
and if I thought his influence would be of avail, he 
offered to sign any telegrams I might write to any per- 
son he knew. If I wished to see him later, I was to 
call at his house before bed time. 

During the evening, the city was the scene of the usual 
Fourth of July excitement. The municipal authorities 
had provided fireworks at several places, and among 
others near the Fifth Avenue Hotel, so that I was unable 
to see any one while the exhibitions were in progress. 

Only one reply to our dispatches was received during 
the evening — the following; : 



42 

Cape Mat, July 4th, 1871. 

Charles K. Graham, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel, N. Y. 

I have telegraphed the President. 

GEO. G. MEADE. 



This was received about 10 P. M. About 9 P. M., 
I had accidentally met James P. Lacombe, Esq., who 
offered to aid me in the exertions I was making, and 
said he would go with me to Long Branch that night 
if necessary. 

We went to General Graham's house, and after con- 
sultation decided it would be better to postpone any 
attempt to see the President until the next day. 

On July fifth, the following dispatch was sent before 
10 A. M. 



New York, July hth, 1871. 

To Gen. Stewart Van Vliet, 

Long Branch, N. J. 

Enable 0. W. Davis to get an interview with the 
President about General Cavada, late Commander of 



43 

the Cuban army, who was captured by a Spanish gun- 
boat on Sunda}'. Davis will come to Long Branch to- 
day and see you. 

MOSES TAYLOR. 



The following had also been prepared : 

New Yorlc, July 6th, 1871. 
Hon. Hamilton Fish. 

Qarrisotis, N. Y. 

General Frederic Cavada, late Commander-in-Chief 
of the Cuban army, was captured on Sunday by the 
Spanish authorities while he was trying to escape to 
this country. He served in the Union Army during 
the rebellion, and though a native of Cuba, is an 
American citizen. Will it be possible for the Govern- 
ment to ask the postponement of his execution at least, 
until he can see his family. 



Mr. Taylor said he would sign and send the above 
with pleasure, but thought that if signed by the Hon. 
Samuel Sloan, who lived at Garrison's, it would have 
more effect. Mr. Sloan reached his office about 10.30 
A. M., and added to what I had written ; 



44 

" I desire this not only for the reasons stated above, 
but as a personal favor." 

SAM. SLOAN. 

" Operator please deliver promptly." 
The telegram thus amended was forwarded without 
delay. 



About 9 A. M t , I had written the following : 

New York, July bth, 1871. 

Edward S. Sanford, Esq., 

Dear Sir : 

Frederic F. Cavada, 
whom you in 1865 had appointed Consul at Cienfuegos, 
Cuba, has been, as you know, Commander-in-Chief of 
the Cuban army. The papers yesterday contained a 
telegram from Havana, saying he had been captured by 
the Spaniards. 

I am trying to get the President to interfere so as to 
prevent his execution long enough to enable his friends 
to try to save him. General Sheridan, General Meade 
and others are helping. Can you not do something? 
I am going to Long Branch to-day. Have telegraphed 
General Sickles at Madrid. 

Yours truly, 

0. WILSON DAVIS, 

No. 7 Murray Street. 



45 

This was sent to Mr. Sanford by Mr. Lacombe, who 
reported (about the time Mr. Sloan sent off his dispatch,) 
that he had seen Mr. Sanford as he was leaving his 
office to go to Long Branch, who said he would do all 
he could, and on his arrival at Long Branch would 
interest John Hoey, Esq., and others. This he did. 

After ascertaining that General Grant was not coming 
to New York that day, and arranging to have all tele- 
grams forwarded, Mr. Lacombe and I went to the foot 
of Murray Street, and found that the Long Branch boat 
had gone at 10.30 A. M., — half an hour earlier than 
usual, in order to accommodate such persons as wished 
to attend the races, which were then in progress. 

Deeming it important to see General Grant with as 
little delay as possible, in order that we might be sure 
our plans had not failed, we took a tug-boat, the " General 
Rosecranz," and went to Sandy Hook, where a locomotive 
which was in waiting, took us without delay to the 
Branch, where we arrived less than one hour and forty 
minutes from the time we left New York. On reaching 
the West End Hotel, we found the following telegram : 

Madrid July 6th, 1871. 
To 0. Wilson Davis, Esq., 

Neiv York. 

War Minister has telegraphed Captain General to 
examine Cavacla's case and report. 

ADEE 



46 

Mr. Adee was in charge of the Legation in the absence 
of General Sickles. 

This was encouraging and was a quicker response to 
the request made to General Sickles, about eighteen 
hours previously, than we had anticipated. It yet 
remained, however, to ascertain what, if any, action 
had been taken by our government. Fortunately we 
met Messrs. John Hoey and Edward S. Sanford at the 
hotel. Mr. Sanford had, as he promised, explained the 
case to Mr. Hoey, who expressed his willingness to 
render any assistance in his power. I asked him to go 
with us to the President's cottage and procure us an 
interview. This he said he wotfld do with pleasure, 
but his presence was entirely unnecessary. He had 
just left the President alone, and knew that he would 
see me. 

We drove at once to General Grant's cottage, and 
when we asked to see him, were told that he wished to 
be excused, as he was about to take a drive with his 
family. I requested the messenger to say that our 
business was urgent and involved a matter of life and 
death. General Grant immediately saw us and I said 
to him, " General, our business relates to General 
Cavada's case." 

He replied, "I have received telegrams from General 
Meade and other gentlemen on behalf of Cavada, and 
have already acted in the case." 



47 

I felt instantly that our success was sure and it was 
useless to prolong the interview. 

I said, "Cavada's friends, sir, thank you for your 
prompt action. I will detain you no longer." 

We returned to the hotel where we soon met General 
Van Vliet, who was in search of us. After telling him 
what had been done, he said he would go and ascertain 
what action General Grant had taken. When he re- 
turned to the hotel, he reported that early in the morning, 
after the receipt of the telegrams about Cavada, the 
President's Private Secretary had, by his order, tele- 
graphed to the Secretary of State to ask that the execu- 
tion of any sentence imposed upon Cavada by the Cuban 
authorities, should be postponed until the circumstances 
of the case could be inquired into. 

This was confirmed by the following dispatch, a copy 
of which was sent us from New York, during the evening, 
by General Graham. 

Long Branch, July bth, 1871. 
To General Charles K. Graham, 

Care of 0. W. Davis, 

New York. 

The subject of your telegram has been referred to 
the Secretary of State. 

HORACE PORTER. 



48 

We subsequently ascertained that the Secretary of 
State had telegraphed the request of General Grant to 
the Spanish Minister at Washington, who, in turn, had 
telegraphed by cable to the Captain General of Cuba. 
My efforts thus far having been successful, 1 felt that 
Cava da, if alive, would be saved, but being somewhat 
doubtful of his chances, if tried in Cuba by court mar- 
tial, I determined to make an effort to have him sent 
to Madrid for trial, hoping through the agency of Gen. 
Sickles and others, the King of Spain might be induced 
to show Cavada some leniency. He was, it is true, a 
" rebel," in the widest sense of the word, but I remem- 
bered that all Christendom had condemned Napoleon 
for ordering the execution of Andreas Hofer, the Tyro- 
lean Chief, as the meanest act he ever performed as 
General or Emperor, and though I could call to mind 
many rebellions, both successful and unsuccessful, since 
the revolt of the Tyrolese, I could not remember another 
instance during the present century, at least, of the 
execution of a rebel Commander-in-Chief. Though I 
knew that the* rapidity and certainty of Spanish ven- 
geance had been almost proverbial, I hoped that the re- 
volution in Spain, which had resulted in placing the 
son of the King of Italy upon the throne, would inau- 
gurate in Spain some of the principles of modern civili- 
zation and Christian humanity. 

Entertaining these views which were, perhaps, inten- 



49 

sified by my interest in Cavada's ease, I resolved not to 
aet hastily, but to take the time for reflection which I 
believed the postponement of the execution of the sen- 
tence that had been passed upon him by the authorities 
of Cuba would afford me. To this end I thought it 
would be the proper plan to interest as many influential 
persons as possible in the case, believing that thus it 
might be possible to induce the American Government 
to demand that his trial should take place at Madrid, 
instead of Cuba. 

The next morning, July sixth, when returning to New 
York, I met A. J. Drexel, Esq., of Philadelphia, whom 
I knew to be a personal friend of the President, and be- 
gan to put in operation the plan I had determined upon 
by interesting Mr. Drexel in the case. This was easily 
done, for he had known Cavada personally, and saying 
that he approved of my views, promised to do all in his 
power to carry them out. 

The next day, July seventh, the following dispatch was 
received. 



Philadelphia, July 7th, 1871. 

To Gen. Charles K. Graham, 

New York. 

Five hundred miles from home when your dispatch 

reached me. Just returned. Will write the President 

to-day on the subject. 

JOHN W. FORNEY. 



50 

On the same day Col. Forney wrote to Gen. Graham 
a letter in which he said, " Please tell Davis and the 
other friends of Cavada that they will not rely on me in 
vain." 

The next day, July eighth, I received the following 
dispatch — 



London, July §th f 1871. 

To 0. Wilson Davis, 
Attorney at Law, 

No. 7 Murray St., N Y. 

All possible done for Cavada at Madrid by Adee. I 

have also appealed personally by cable to Serrano for 

clemency. 

SICKLES. 

To which I replied : 

New York, July $th, 1871. 

To Sickles, 

London. 

Thanks for what you have done. Will it be possible 
to have Cavada sent to Madrid for trial ? 

0. WILSON DAVIS. 



51 
THE EXECUTION. 



The morning papers of July eleventh, contained 
among the "Associated Press " dispatches the following : 

OTJB^l. 

EXECUTION OF CAVADA. 

Havana, July LOth. — Cavada was executed on the 
first inst., at Puerto Principe. 



* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 



52 

This had a dispiriting effect, but I could not believe 
it to be true. The dispatch from the same quarter 
dated Havana, July third, stated that Cavada had been 
captured and sent to Puerto Principe for trial, while 
this dispatch stated his execution had taken place on 
the first. Between the two, the discrepancy was siich 
that one or the other must have been false. Besides 
this, I had learned from a reliable source that passengers 
by steamer from Havana, which left there on the fifth 
of July, stated that a rumor was prevalent in Havana, 
before they left, that Cavada was to be brought from 
Puerto Principe to be garroted in Havana. If this were 
true, then Cavada must have been alive on July fifth 
when the Captain General received dispatches both from 
Madrid and Washington. 

To place the matter beyond doubt, however, efforts 
were made to telegraph by cable, (in cipher,) both on the 
eleventh and twelfth days of July, but they were unsuc- 
cessful, because the authorities have control of all the 
telegraph offices in Cuba, and do not permit any commu- 
nications "in cipher" even between the operators of the 
company. Many of Cavada's friends, however, con- 
tinued to believe that he was alive on July fifth, and 
their belief was sustained by the following publication 
in the New York Times of July fifteenth. 



"Special Despatch to the New York Times." 

Washi niitoii, Jul a Wtli. — The report of the execution 
of the Cuban General Cavada, July first, must not be 
too confidently believed until it receives further confir- 
mation. 

It was after that date that Consul General Hall made 
efforts at Havana from our Government looking towards 
his release, and Mr. Hall understood that he was alive 
at that time, if not, the Spanish officers must themselves 
have either been deceived or deceiving. Advices from 
Mr. Hall may be expected by mail in a few days. 



As the 1 Hmes is known to be an administration journal, 
many of the friends of Cavada willingly believed that 
the correspondent's story was authentic, but their hopes 
were blasted by the following extract from a letter which 
appeared in the same paper on Friday, July twenty -first. 



CUBAN AFFAIRS. 

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 

Havana, Saturday, July 16t7i, 1871. 

* * * * # :J: 

DEATH OF CAVADA AND OSORIO. 

The following interesting particulars of the capture 
and execution of the late Gen. Frederico Cavada and 
Osorio have been related to }^our correspondent by an 



54 

eye-witness, who saw and spoke with both, and wit- 
nessed the compliance with the fatal sentence of Spanish 
Court-Martial. Osorio had left the interior of the island 
some months ago, in company with Bernabe Varona, 
alias Bembeta, the young Cuban General who lately 
arrived in New York, Osorio being in a most miserable 
state of health, and a mass of sores and eruptions from 
a kind of scorbut, which is causing such terrible ravages 
among the insurgent Cubans, and also from the effects 
of an unhealed wound. Osorio refused to state how he 
had been left behind by Bembeta, and simply announced 
that such had been the fact. He was hid in the woods 
and cared for by some Cubans, who could not furnish 
him with anything beyond the bare means of subsis- 
tence until Gen. Cavada came along and kindly offered 
to take him to Nassau or any other secure place, a boat 
being then in waiting for the latter gentleman and 
another, supposed to have been Mr. Francisco Aguilera, 
Ex- Vice-President of the Republic. Everything went 
well. They were not seen by any Spanish troops, and 
they reached Cayo Cruz in safety, embarking immedi- 
ately in a two oared boat, and headed for the light-house 
on the English key, known as Cayo Lobos, (Wolf Key.) 
When in plain sight of the light-house a very stiff breeze 
arose, which tossed their boat to and fro, and with the 
strong counter-current made the efforts of the rowers 
useless, and drove them back toward Cayo Cruz. Cavada 



55 

seeing the futility of the attempt to reach Cayo Lobos, 
then ordered the rowers to return to Cayo Cruz, the boat 
skimming like a swan over the surface of the water, by 
the aid of wind and current. At this moment they were 
sighted by the gun-boat Vigia, and shortly after the ex- 
peditionists had landed on the key, the Spanish marines 
were after them. The three other men escaped easily, 
but Cavada was too weak to proceed rapidly , and he was, 
at the same time, sufficiently generous not to leave Osorio 
to his fate. The marines sighted them, and an hour 
after landing they were prisoners in the hands of the 
Spaniards, who treated them well during their stay on 
board, the officers giving them provisions and clean 
clothing. The gun-boat steamed away toward Nuevitas. 
When the prisoners arrived at Nuevitas, their emaciated 
appearance and their wretched health excited general 
pity, and your informant having known both in former 
years, offered them his services, but as they had been 
provided with suitable clothing by the commander of 
the Vigia, they declined further aid. Cavada asked for 
writing materials, and wrote letters to the insurgent 
Generals, Salomi, Hernandez, Villamli, Penco, Lico, 
several others, and to his brother, the Cuban General, 
Adolfo Cavada. Perhaps no man was so much hated 
by the Spaniards as Cavada, who had earned the soubri- 
quet of the " Fire King." Cavada was taken to Puerto 
Principe on the morning of the thirtieth, and executed on 

L.ol G. 



56 

the afternoon of the first. He met his fate like a hero, 
without bravado or cynicism. Tranquilly he conversed 
with some friends, and when the fatal hour came he 
marched, smoking a cigar, erect and proud to the place 
of execution. When he arrived there he took off his 
hat, flung it on the ground, and in a loud tone of voice 
cried, Adios Cuba, para siempre. (Good-by Cuba, for- 
ever.) A volley was heard, and Frederico Cavada 
ceased to exist. He persistently refused to see a Catholic 
priest or to confess, stating that he was not a Catholic 
either by conviction or practice, which so incensed the 
priest that he refused to allow the corpse to be buried in 
consecrated ground, and only after a long and bitter quar- 
rel with the Spanish commander, Brig. Gen. Zea, was 
the matter adjusted. Zea threatened to bury Cavada 
himself, and send the priest to Havana as a prisoner. 
The Spanish Post-Captain at Nuevitas, Jacoba Aleman, 
had in the meantime telegraphed to the Admiral as to 
what to do with Osorio. The Admiral replied : " He 
has been sentenced already by a Naval Court as a pirate, 
and the punishment for pirates is to swing at the yard- 
arm." But the Spanish Captain had no executioner, so 
he took it upon himself to have Osorio shot, instead of 
hung, and the sentence was carried into effect on the 
morning of the sixth. The shooting party was drawn up. 
Osorio knelt on the bowsprit of the Neptuno. The officer 
in charge of the party had given instruction that when 



57 

he raised his sword the men were to get ready, and 
when he dropped his sword, to fire. He raised his 
sword, when one of the marines fired, the bullet enter- 
ing Osorio's head and coming out of the mouth, produc- 
ing instant death. The others, of course, did not lire, 
and the body was taken ashore and buried, Osorio hav- 
ing accepted the services of the priest and confessor. 



Quasimodo. 



58 



Thus the curtain falls on this tragedy and the specta- 
tors have all gone home. The waves will soon wash 
out Cavada's name from the sands of the beach on 
which he wrote it. Even during the present generation, 
he will soon be forgotten except by his devoted mother, 
his faithful wife and orphan child, and perhaps a few 
others; but when the history of his native Island is 
written, his name will appear as that of one who suffered 
manfully, struggled heroically and died bravely as a 
martyr to a cause, which in his infatuation, he believed 
to be of more value than his life. History always 
more and more impartial as she grows older, will forget 
his passions and his errors, and he will always stand 
among the statues which time sculptures, a brave man 
and a martyr in the cause he espoused. Those who 
have had their names linked with his in an honorable 
way, may consider themselves fortunate. 



245 91 



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ECKMAN 

IDERY INC. 

■^ MAY 91 

§1^ N. MANCHESTER, 





















